Navas Light Tonic
Crafted along the rugged coast of Cornwall, Navas Light Tonic is a premium, lower-sugar mixer designed to elevate fine spirits without overpowering them.
Type
Country
Producer
Featured Flavours
Alcohol %
0%
Serving Size
- 200ml
Suggested with
In Cocktails
Crafted along the rugged coast of Cornwall, Navas Light Tonic is a premium, lower-sugar mixer designed to elevate fine spirits without overpowering them. Built on a foundation of pure Cornish spring water, this botanical mixer delivers a remarkably clean, crisp mineral base that allows its subtle ingredients to shine. Navas created this light edition to maintain the depth and structure of a traditional craft tonic while offering a lighter, lower-calorie option for modern, mindful drinking.
Flavor Profile & Aroma
Aroma: Bright floral neroli and aromatic bergamot blend with fresh citrus peel.
Taste: Exceptionally crisp and dry, featuring a delicate balance of citrus notes, natural quinine bitterness, and subtle woody undertones from cinchona bark.
Finish: A clean, refreshing, and dry finish without the syrupy, sweet aftertaste often found in mass-market diet tonics.
By utilizing fructose in restrained amounts rather than harsh artificial sweeteners, Navas preserves a natural mouthfeel and a gentle, satisfying bitterness.
Sustainability & Craftsmanship
As a certified B-Corp business, Navas places environmental responsibility at the core of its production. The brand donates 2% of every bottle sold to the Eden Project to support environmental management and plant conservation initiatives. Additionally, the tonic is naturally vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and contains under 20 calories per serving.
Recommended Pairings
Classic London Dry Gin: Perfect for a crisp, citrus-forward G&T where the gin’s botanicals stay center stage.
Aperitifs & Fortified Wines: Pairs seamlessly with rosé or dry vermouth and white port over ice.
Agave Spirits: Adds a dry, effervescent lift to premium blanco tequila or mezcal.
Alcohol-Free Spirits: A structured mixer for non-alcoholic spirits and mindful mocktails.
The Origin Story
The Pub Epiphany (2018): Navas was conceived during a cold winter walk in the coastal village of Mousehole, Cornwall. Sipping drinks at a pub, the founders noticed a booming local market for craft gins, yet a frustrating lack of premium mixers that enhanced—rather than masked—the spirit’s botanicals.
Developing the Recipe: The founders worked directly with Cornish distillers to formulate a mixer designed for subtle complement. They built the foundation around pure, granite-filtered spring water from Bodmin Moor and balanced natural botanicals like neroli, bergamot, and cinchona bark.
Name & Local Identity
What’s in a Name? The brand takes its name from Port Navas, a tranquil, oak-lined creek village on the Helford River in West Cornwall.
Geological Design: The label imagery uses patterns inspired by local granite, riverbeds, and coastline, tying the product directly to its geographical roots.
Launch & Growth
Going to Market (2019): After extensive trial batches and feedback, Navas officially launched in the summer of 2019.
Overcoming Challenges: Just six months after launching, the UK entered COVID-19 lockdowns, closing bars and restaurants. Despite the heavy hit to hospitality, strong regional support and direct-to-consumer demand allowed Navas to thrive and gain traction across the South West.
Sustainability & Partnership
The Eden Project Collaboration: Rooted in environmental stewardship, Navas partnered with Cornwall’s famous Eden Project. In addition to donating a percentage of sales, Navas has worked with Eden’s botanical experts to research growing local botanicals and extracting quinine under their biomes.
B-Corp Certification: As the brand expanded its lineup (adding Garden Tonic, Ginger Beer, and Lemonade), it earned official B-Corp certification, establishing itself as one of the UK’s leading eco-focused craft mixer producers.
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Sat in a cosy pub in Cornwall one Winter’s day in 2018, our founders pondered the absence of craft tonics compared with the ever-burgeoning range of craft gins that were on offer. Musing over the idea of Cornish Tonic Water, the seed of Navas was born..
Working at length with Cornish distillers, they tasked themselves to perfect a Tonic that enhanced botanicals without over-powering them. In reverence of the environment that living in that part of West Cornwall inspires, we knew the recipe needed to start with Cornish Spring Water.
With naturally filtered water (through the granite of Bodmin Moor) and an aim to have as many natural ingredients as possible, our journey led to a discussion with the nearby Eden Project to experiment with growing botanicals in their renowned biomes.
Navas drinks are proud to continue working with the Eden Project and are donating a percentage of every sale, directly to it’s mission.
